Westchester’s Winter Wonderland light show returns to Kensico Dam on Nov. 19

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland reopens Nov. 19 at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, with a holiday light show that runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Opening night lists a 4 p.m. start, and the first four nights can be explored on foot.

The show follows a 1.2-mile route lit by hundreds of thousands of lights. Kensico Dam Plaza sits at 1 Bronx River Parkway Road. Coming from Midtown’s Port Authority area, the drive takes under an hour, and it is shorter still from Harlem or the Bronx.

NovemberFest walk-through dates and ticket prices

From Thursday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 22, the route becomes a walk-through event called NovemberFest. Along with the lights, those nights add a holiday market, live music and other activities, and the Saturday evening hosts the event’s annual Santa Run. On those four nights, tickets are sold per person. An adult ticket costs $30 and a child’s ticket costs $20, while anyone age 3 or younger is admitted at no charge.

Otherwise, Winter Wonderland is a drive-through, and admission is $44 per vehicle for all ages. When buying tickets, guests can choose to add a $5 gift for Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Camp Morty.

What to see on the 1.2-mile light route

One centerpiece is the Transporter Tunnel, which stretches 175 feet and is built from glowing strings, with a stargate set along its center. Another stretch, Rudolph’s Runway, is framed by tubes of colored light. Farther along are a 50-foot Peace Dove, glowing snowballs and Candy Cane Lane. A 40-foot Christmas tree greets visitors, along with Santa, the elves Fred and Albert, and a new elf named Snowball.

The event started in 2014 and has welcomed more than 600,000 visitors. Ticket proceeds go to the Westchester Parks Foundation, a nonprofit that has worked to preserve green space since 1977. For options inside the five boroughs, see our NYC holiday markets guide.